My 14-month-old Boxer, which has been through obedience classes, has started to lunge and grab and bark at my hands to get my attention. What video should I buy to stop this?

Question

I just want to say, like everyone else who logs in on your web site, how informative your site is. Just received your catalog the other day and I'm interested in purchasing a training video but don't exactly know which one I should order.

    I have a 14 month old male neutered boxer that has gone through basic obedience classes with a passing grade. He has no problem with the "sit," "down," "stay," "leave it" commands but needs a little work on his "come" command.

    A couple of behavior problems that I would like to take care of. The first one is that he gets very excited when we have guests around the house. He would respond with the "sit" and "down" commands but his excitement would get the better of him. I'll end up putting him inside his crate. I just want him to behave a little better around guests. The next problem just started happening about 2 months ago which I'm concern about. When he wants some attention or gets too playful he nudges at my hand and barks, growls and lunges forward at me. Telling him to "STOP" and "NO" excites him to bark, growl and lunge even more. In the house, the only way I can make him stop is to ignore him or tell him that I would put him in his crate if he doesn't stop. This he understands and he goes to a "down" position. But outside the house I have a big problem since he has more room the run away. I'm afraid that by ignoring him that would mean that he had won and start challenging me even more. I just don't want it to get out of control and to lead to more serious aggression.

    So, what should or could I do and which training video would help me with these problems?

    Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Dee

Accepted Answer

I always like the e-mail that asks what videos should I buy, because my answer is always "ALL OF THEM" :)

I may be wrong but I don't think this dog is actually trying to be aggressive with you, I think he is probably playing. If he is bowing and wiggling his tail but dropping down with the front legs as he barks, then he is inviting you to play.

I would correct this dog with a serious correction. In my case I would make the dog wear a prong collar, (if you would like to read about these you can go to my web site. and see what I have written), and a street leash. When it displays this behavior I would correct the dog and make it do some short obedience routines (sit, down, go into the heel position).

In your case I would use an electric collar, probably the Tri Tronics Companion (I have those on my web site too). If you go this way I would recommend that you get the training videos that teach you how to use the collars. You sound like you would be better served with an electric collar than a prong collar. It takes more skill and athletic ability to use a prong collar.

If you think you can handle the prong collar then get my Basic Obedience video.

I hope this helps.